Heading West To Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario

Chatham, Sarnia and Grand Bend On An Overnight Trip During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

Head West To Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario

We had an amazing trip when we headed west from Toronto to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario. Lake St Clair and the St Clair River are part of the Great Lakes system that connects Lake Erie to Lake Huron. Lake St Clair is sometimes referred to as the 6th Great Lake. On one side is the Canadian province of Ontario and on the other side the USA state of Michigan.

We enjoyed road trips in Ontario this summer of Covid-19 as we explored locally. Our trips have taken us along the shore of Lake Erie and through the Kawartha Lakes area. We got our first glimpse of Lake Huron on a road trip to Owen Sound.

On this trip we enjoyed scenic drives along Lake St Clair, the St Clair River and the coast of Lake Huron. There was lots to see on the waterfront. And we got the most amazing sunset show! Along the way there were educational stops too.

Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

This was the first time in a long time that we stayed overnight away from home. Our stops during the day and our hotel visit all provided a very safe experience in the middle of the pandemic.

Road Trips In Harvest Season

It was always great to get out for a road trip in Ontario. In this time of Covid-19 we found the roads and small towns much more deserted than we expected. Some beaches and restaurants were busier. But our drives often felt like we were in some kind of post-apocalyptic scene.

Everywhere we looked we found fields lush and ready for picking. Massive greenhouses amazed us. And wind turbines spun in the air. We were surprised at how few people we saw at work in the fields. Although we occasionally encountered farm vehicles full of produce. So we knew someone picked at some time in the day.

Countryside Fields Corn.jpg

Countryside Fields Soybeans.jpg

Countryside Fields Greenhouse.jpg

Countryside Fields Farm Tractor.jpg

In harvest season, we found produce stands all along the side of the road. It was always great to get freshly picked fruit and veggies. The watermelon we bought was the sweetest we have eaten!

Countryside Fields Farm Market.jpg

Countryside Fields Farm Market Watermelon.jpg

On a trip west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario, we passed through a lot of farmland!

Scenic Drive In Lakeshore On Lake St Clair

On the way west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario, we took the fast route along the major highway (Hwy 401). We exited before we reached Windsor and the bridges to the USA. Heading north towards Lake St Clair, we travelled along the water through the series of small areas that made up the town of Lakeshore.

Whenever we could, we found the local roads that ran right at the water. At one point we travelled along a stretch called the Tecumseh Parkway. This route traced the path of the Battle of the Thames. Tecumseh was one of the most famous First Nation’s leaders in Canada. And a major battle was fought in this area.

Lakeshore Waterfront Trail Tecumseh Parkway.jpg

Several times we hit a dead end and went back up to the main road before we headed back to the water. We looked for public beach access points. But if they existed, they were not well marked. Instead we found small parkettes with lovely green spaces and a view of the water.

Lakeshore Waterfront Trail Parkway Parkette - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

We looked longingly at the houses with waterfront views. Watercraft sat ready for some fun. The Covid-19 pandemic certainly made us long to be out of our condo. The houses ranged from large mansions to smaller cottage-like properties. The ones marked ā€œFor Saleā€ piqued our curiosity. We stopped often as we drove through Lakeshore.

Lakeshore Waterfront Trail Parkway Parkette.jpg

Stretching Our Legs In Lakeshore

When we entered the Belle River area, we again headed to the water. And were delighted when we saw a large sand beach and pier. The beach was closed and only the seagulls enjoyed the wide open stretches of sand.

Lakeshore Belle River Lakeview Park.jpg

Lakeshore Belle River Lakeview Park Beach.jpg

We stopped at the A&J Snack Shack. There were a few people at the outdoor picnic tables and we chatted for awhile with the owner. The Covid-19 pandemic made it hard for small businesses like this to stay afloat.

We satisfied David’s craving for homemade french fries and then walked along the pier. It gave us a great view out over Lake St Clair. A relaxing stop with wide open spaces for us to enjoy.

Lakeshore Belle River Lakeview Park Pier - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Our next stop was at Lighthouse Cove. We found the Thames River launch area and checked out the Thame River Lighthouse from several different angles. We later learned that this was the 3rd oldest lighthouse in Canada.

Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Thames River Lighthouse - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Thames River Lighthouse - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

As we wandered along the small roads, it was clear that flood insurance would be critical if we bought in this area. In many places we saw piles of sandbags. The water lapped up to street level. Signs warned of flooding and closed roads.

Lakeshore Flooding.jpg

Lakeshore Cove Flooding.jpg

Lakeshore Cove Flooding.jpg

There were so many great stops in the communities of Lakeshore on Lake St Clair. This was the spot we returned to for an amazing sunset show.

Another Scenic Drive Along The St Clair River

We enjoyed another scenic drive along the St Clair River Parkway between Chatham and Sarnia. We got our first view of the very blue water that Lake Huron was known for. There were boat docks and decks along the river edge that belonged to the houses across the street.

St Clair River Parkway - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

St Clair River Parkway - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

Along the route we saw many small parks. We made several short stops. But stayed longer as we strolled around Brander Park. We were amazed at the wide open spaces with no people. The picnic area was closed for Covid-19. Even the fun children’s area was largely deserted. Except for one big kid of course!

Brander Park St Clair River Parkway - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Brander Park St Clair River Parkway.jpg

Brander Park St Clair River Parkway.jpg

Along the river there were carved out areas for swimming access. The wind whipped the waves over the banks. David bravely stood in the cold water. But that was as far as we got.

Brander Park Beach St Clair River Parkway - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Brander Park Beach St Clair River Parkway.jpg

It was such an idyllic drive along the shore of the St Clair River. We saw the houses in the U.S.A. across the waterway. When we reached the end of the Parkway, it was quite a rude surprise when we saw the green space replaced with refineries and large petroleum plants. We reached Lake Huron and it was obvious that plants like this were placed on the Great Lakes for strategic purposes.

St Clair River Refinery.jpg

On a visit to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario we enjoyed our drive along the St Clair River Parkway.

Stop In Sarnia For Lunch

We entered Sarnia from the south and made a short stop at Centennial Park on the water. From there we stopped briefly at the port. We saw more of the big tankers we previously observed on Lake Huron during our visit to Owen Sound. More signs that we were on a commercial lake.

Centennial Park Sarnia - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

Sarnia Dock.jpg

There were lots of options for food in Sarnia. But we really wanted a spot with a view. The Alternate Grounds Dockside Restaurant had a large patio area. And met our desired level of safety for Covid-19 processes.

Sarnia Dockside Restaurant.jpg

Sarnia Dockside Restaurant - Covid 19 Processes.jpg

The menu had lots to choose from. So we enjoyed a great healthy lunch. Even if I didn’t resist the fruit wheat beer. And we got the amazing water views we craved.

Sarnia Dockside Restaurant Food and Drink - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Sarnia Dockside Restaurant - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

It was a good thing we ate healthy because we found the absolute best gelato at the Ice Creamery. The owner recited the long list of homemade choices. David had the yummy peanut butter chocolate. And I had the tastiest salted caramel!

Sarnia Ice Creamery.jpg

Sarnia Ice Creamery.jpg

After our food break, we went in search of a beach on Lake Huron.

Our Beach Stop At Canatara Beach

We made our way towards Point Edward and drove around the grounds and small lake at Canatara Beach. There were large green spaces but we were after a beach. Canatara Beach was only one of 26 beaches in Canada with Blue Flag status. This was reserved for areas with a strict commitment to water and safety criteria.

We parked and over the sand dune got our first view of the blue waters of Lake Huron. The water went as far as we could see. We heard lots of laughter coming over the sand dune. And were a bit confused when we saw a sign that said ā€œClosed Until Further Noticeā€. But when we got closer we saw that only the stairs down to the beach were closed.

Sarnia Canatara Beach - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

There were Covid-19 signs about physical distancing. And when we looked at the beach we were happy it was open and people were responsible. The wind was still very high. But that never stopped the children as they played in the waves.

Sarnia Canatara Beach - Covid 19 Processes.jpg

Sarnia Canatara Beach.jpg

We enjoyed the breeze and views over Lake Huron. It was absolutely the sight we travelled to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario for.

Heading To Grand Bend On Lake Huron

Our drive took us along the shore of Lake Huron. We passed the Pinery Provincial Park. We wanted to stop but it was getting late. And we were not sure what things closed early in these Covid-19 days.

The sign for Grand Bend featured a lighthouse. When we wandered along the roads by the water we found a lighthouse at the marina that may have been the model for the sign.

Grand Bend - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

Grand Bend Lighthouse - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

We kept driving along the shore until we found the street that took us to the main beach in Grand Bend. As we drove along the street, we knew we were headed to a beach. The street was jam-packed with people. Beach gear shops, ice cream stands and souvenir shops were on both sides of the street. We had no intention of stopping here!

The Busy Main Beach At Grand Bend

We pulled up at the turning circle by the beach and then found a parking spot. It was after 4pm and people had started to leave. After we climbed the tower, we got our first real look at the beach. In one direction it appeared very busy. But in the other direction people seemed more spread out.

Grand Bend Beach.jpg

Grand Bend Beach.jpg

Grand Bend Beach - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

There was a paved walkway at the edge of the beach that took us to the pier. We enjoyed some time as we watched the waves crash up on the shore.

Grand Bend Lighthouse.jpg

Grand Bend Beach and Waves.jpg

Grand Bend Beach and Waves - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Along the beach we were delighted when we found colourful murals. These depicted such iconic beach and Canadiana scenes. A great final treat before we departed for the day.

Grand Bend Beach Art Murals.jpg

Grand Bend Beach Art Murals.jpg

Grand Bend Beach Art Murals - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Grand Bend was the perfect spot to end our trip west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario. We chose a route home that meandered cross-country. We were not yet ready to return to the city.

Bike Paths AroundĀ LakeĀ Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario

When we headed west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario, we found so many great biking paths. It made us wish we travelled with our eBikes. In Lakeshore the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail followed along the shores of Lake St Clair. In this area, rivers often sent us back to the main road to cross. However, there were often foot bridges that the bikes used to cross and keep going. In Grand Bend, we saw a sign that said it was the terminus of this route.

Along the St Clair Parkway we found the St Clair River Trail. This was a 35 km multi-use trail. The St Clair River Run happened annually in normal years. Along the trail we found interesting plaques for people who enjoyed this path.

St Clair River Parkway Trail.jpg

St Clair River Parkway Trail Plaques Bricks.jpg

In Sarnia we saw the signs for the Bluewater Trails. Part of the path ran along old railway line. We pulled over and looked at the path and the trail map.

Sarnia BlueWater Trails.jpg

Sarnia BlueWater Trails - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

There were so many different bike trails when we went west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario. We were sad we left our bikes at home. But we now have some great destinations for a return visit.

The Best Sunset Viewing Spot

We checked out the geography and figured there was a great sunset view over the water from the east shore of Lake St Clair. So we headed from our overnight stay in Chatham to Lighthouse Cove. And found the perfect spot.

The ramp by the Thames River Lighthouse had an open water view. But the angle was not quite right.

Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset.jpg

We drove around and checked out several other viewpoints. Unfortunately, we found no public beach access points. And even the roads were marked for no parking. There was an open park area. But the sign marked it clearly for local use only.

Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset.jpg

As we checked out the view, we started a conversation with the people in the house beside the park. They immediately said it would be perfectly ok for us to watch the sunset from there. Little did they know how long we would stay!

Perfect Sunsets OnĀ Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario

As the sun set, we got a great view as the orange ball sank into the water. The skies turned shades of orange.

Lake St Clair Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset.jpg

Lake St Clair Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

We hoped that more colours would show up after the sun was down. And just as we were ready to leave, we got our wish. A whole rainbow of colours lit up in the sky.

Lake St Clair Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset- Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

We finally moved the car to another part of the shore. The colours continued to deepen. And we caught the greatest reflections in the puddles.

Lake St Clair Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario.jpg

Ultimately it was time to move on. But we were mesmerized by the continued light show in the sky. Even the view over the fields and wind turbines caused us to stop and watch.

Lake St Clair Lakeshore Lighthouse Cove Sunset.jpg

Grand Bend on Lake Huron was on the list for some of the best sunsets in Ontario. When we visited Grand Bend the next day, we were not even tempted to stay for sunset. How could we beat the sunset show we got? Head west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario for some of the very best sunsets on the water!

History Lessons Along The Underground Railway

As we travelled around the Chatham-Kent area, we kept seeing these strange signs with a star and footprints. At first we thought they led to a star gazing spot. But then we saw one sign with wording that said ā€œUnderground Railroadā€.

Dresden Underground Railroad - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

The Underground Railroad was used to help slaves flee to Canada. It was operated by a network of free blacks and white sympathizers. About 30,000 slaves fled to Canada. There are several places in Ontario as memorials to key stops on the Underground Railway.

We followed signs that led to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. We crossed an old unused railway line. And wondered about the history of this rail line.

Dresden Underground Railroad.jpg

The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin was inspired by abolitionist Josiah Henson and the cabin was inspired by a home in Ontario. Following the sign we found a museum and what looked like that cabin. Henson escaped to Canada from Kentucky and helped settle other fugitives at his New Dawn Settlement.

Dresden Underground Railroad - Uncle TomsCabin.jpg

Dresden Underground Railroad - Uncle TomsCabin.jpg

The museum was not open. But when we wandered around we found the British American Cemetery and the Hensen family cemetery.

Henson Family Cemetery - Dresden Underground Railroad - Uncle TomsCabin.jpg

British American Cemetery - Dresden Underground Railroad - Uncle TomsCabin.jpg

On a trip travelling west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario we found historic sites to explore.

Planning An Overnight Stay During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Different regions in Ontario opened at varying speeds during the Covid-19 pandemic. This western region around Windsor was always the last to move to the next stage. So we were a bit nervous when we planned to head this way. But we need not have worried!

We found so many open spaces on our trip. There were few people around when we stopped. The weather was great. So we found lots of lovely patio options for food. Most every place took the right precautions that made us feel safe. In some areas the beaches were still closed. Some beaches were quiet and well distanced. At others we just stayed away from the crowds.

It was hard to plan a trip west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario as a day trip. In 2019 we were away overnight for more than 175 nights! We started 2020 with 70 nights away on our South America cruise. But after we were stranded on our South America cruise when Covid-19 hit, we planned only day trips once things opened up at home a little.

So this was the first time we planned an overnight stay. We wanted a larger chain hotel with some safety standards. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Chatham was central to the area we wanted to explore. And we always enjoyed the consistency of the service offering at this chain.

A Safe Overnight Experience

The hotel had established Covid-19 processes in place and signs were prominently displayed. The check-in counter was behind a plexiglass screen and checkout was electronic. Each pen was sterilized after use. We were on the 5th of 7 floors and only once did we pass on an elevator because it already had people in it.

Holiday Inn Express Suites Chatham - Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario Canada - Chatham, Sarnia, Grand Bend - Overnight During Covid-19.jpg

Our IHG Rewards status got us a large suite with two rooms and a small kitchenette. There was a ā€œClean Promiseā€ card in the room that addressed the new cleaning standards. Even with this, we wiped down all high touch areas before we settled in. The linen looked white and clean. But we still used our own pillow cases and top sheet. And we were happy the air conditioner vented to the outside so we did not think about circulating air.

Holiday Inn Express Suites Chatham.jpg

Holiday Inn Express Suites Chatham - Covid Processes.jpg

The hotel even offered a hot breakfast. The breakfast was served by staff who were masked and gloved. Coffee was available from the front desk. Many of the tables were blocked off. Although we had the room almost to ourselves for breakfast.

Holiday Inn Express Suites Chatham - Covid Processes.jpg

Every road trip we took in the summer of Covid-19 caused some level of trepidation. We were always prepared to return home if we did not feel safe. But our overnight stay in Chatham worked out well. We travelled about 1,000 km (~ 600 miles) over two days. Our overnight stay ensured we had lots of time as we explored the area around Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario.

Heading West To Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario

We had a wonderful two days when we headed west to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario. It was great to meander along the shore and see the waterfront views. Along the way we saw some interesting historical spots. There were open green spaces everywhere we stopped. And several beach stops gave us a view of the crashing waves.

On another day trip, we explored more of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. It gave us yet another perspective on the Great Lakes in Canada.

It was great to explore Ontario in the summer of Covid-19. We were delighted that it felt safe to travel short distances from home. And we were happy our first overnight trip turned out so well.

We saw the first small signs that the leaves would soon start to change colour. We were excited for our coming road trips for the fall colours.

Have you travelled west to Lake Huron And Lake St Clair In Ontario? What scenic spots should we see on our next visit?

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60 Comments

  1. There looks to be a lot to do in this small area. I love all the little lighthouses. While it’s nice to be in uncrowded areas, it’s unfortunate for all those business owners struggling during this time.

  2. Lake Huron and Lake Sr. Clair sounds like a great place to visit. I have mainly visited the bigger cities in Canada, but would love to take a road trip and visit some of the more off the beaten path locations. I love all the little lighthouses and the beaches look great! The history about Uncle Tom’s Cabin is very interesting, that would be a must stop for me. I will keep these locations in mind when I start planning my next trip to Canada.

  3. Those are some really gorgeous Sunset shots. The whole drive was an interesting read – right from finding those fresh produce farms to the little lakes and beaches. St Clair River Parkway seems like an ideal place to picnic. The biking trails around Lake Huron seem very promising. Never know what is around the next bend.

  4. I visited Toronto and Niagara Falls back in 1996, but that was a lifetime ago. So I’d love to go back to for another visit someday, especially since I have several cousins who live in and around Toronto. Back in 1996, we didn’t make it to Lake Huron though. From your post I can see that it’s a wonderful area, so I’d definitely add it to our bucket list. The lakes look so peaceful, and even Maine Beach which is crowded is still less crowded that the beaches in southern France. The sunsets you caught during your trip are simply amazing too!

  5. I am glad to know that you still found a way to travel locally despite the pandemic. It’s awesome that you were able to enjoy the fresh harvest of the farmlands. Your post made me crave for some fresh watermelons. I think this type of trip is what we can joy for now. The scenic drive and the food experience is just love. šŸ™‚

    • Clarice, We are happy we are still able to get out for some local trips. Numbers are trending back up slowly so I hope we don’t get shut down again. Great to enjoy the countryside on our road trips. Linda

  6. This looks like a lovely roadtrip! Despite living in BC my whole life, I haven’t spent too much time exploring Ontario yet so it would be great to visit and get out of Toronto one day šŸ™‚ I would love to see the Great Lakes so that is definitely on my list for next year if we can’t travel internationally yet!

  7. Ontario has so many beautiful places that I already know that I need to spend a few weeks there to see some of them. I’d love to see Lighthouse Cove, especially if it’s 3rd oldest lighthouse in Canada. Scenic drive along the St Clair River sees excellent ideas too. Ice Creamery is a perfect place to stop, as I love icecream. Exploring Ontario must be a fantastic adventure!

  8. Road trips in harvest season if definitely awesome. I have fond memories from last year’s harvest season in the country side of Netherlands. I agree, the produce is so fresh & healthy & tastes much different than supermarkets. Indeed Covid is a blow to small shop owners. We do long some sea shore too…. The view from The Alternate Grounds Dockside Restaurant looks great. Underground railroad trail looks interesting. Good to know a bit of history about this place.

    • Bhushavali, We are always happy to support local businesses when we head out for local day trips. We love to wander the smaller roads. And take a detour when we find spots like the Underground Railroad. Great to travel with only a broad outline of your trip. Linda

  9. Looks so beautiful and green. I absolutely love harvest season but our harvest season here in California is very yellow except for the pumpkins. It has also been very similar here that different regions opened on different times. We have been planning to visit Ontario in next couple of years so this was very interesting to read. I loved all the detailed tips with maps.

    • Paula, I am glad this blog post will be helpful to you when you plan a visit to Ontario. We are doing a lot of different local trips so there should be lots on the site when it comes time to visit. Linda

  10. I absolutely love harvest season for all of the reasons that you have mentioned, farm stands are the BEST! This is especially the case when you get your hands on a great find like the watermelon that you so enjoyed! Is it weird that I can FEEL the cold of that water just by looking at your photos? Your husband is so brave for venturing in!

  11. Beautiful photos! We have never had the opportunity to explore that part of the US. It looks so laid back and like somewhere we would really enjoy! Our kids love touring old lighthouses as well.

  12. Hahaha, this is home šŸ™‚ Londoner, here šŸ™‚ Had no idea River Thames had a lighthouse. I haven’t been to Lambton area much nor Lakeshore. Thanks for the inspiration, we’ll check them out.

    • Slavka, I was happy to show you some things close to home for you. This pandemic certainly has us exploring many different parts of Ontario we had never visited before. Hope you enjoy your explorations. Linda

  13. It’s great that you have the opportunity for such a camping trip. Incredibly beautiful photos. Communication with nature is the best medicine for me, green, endless fields are pleasing to the eye.

  14. Wow! You explored a ton on your road trip. We’ve been sticking to road trips as well during COVID and it’s been such an amazing experience. We never hit any dead ends on our trips, but we probably would have if we were venturing out in areas we didn’t plan. It’s interesting that it was hard to find public beach access points. I wonder if they are mostly private so they purposely make it hard to find?

    • Candy, We loved just poking our noses into the small communities. Always great to discover new spots. The laws are complicated in Ontario for beach use. In most places, there is a strip on the beach that is public but not in all areas. But that does not always mean there are access points. Or that they are well marked as such. The other issue is sometimes there is no parking on streets where there is public access points. So ok only if you are on foot or bike. Linda

  15. Would love to explore these hidden gems sometime! The history behind Uncle Tom’s cabin and New Dawn Settlement is interesting. ‘The healthy lunch’ looks delicious! Thanks for showcasing this scenic ‘less traveled’ part of Ontario. šŸ™‚

  16. I loved your trip to Lake Huron and Lake St Clair in Ontario which is towards west of Ontario. I was not knowing about the the Great Lakes and how the system is made to connect them. Good to know that Lake St Clair is sometimes referred to as the 6th Great Lake. Sarnia looks amazing and good you had your lunch there.

  17. This looks like a really lovely road trip. I agree with your comments about some places nowadays have that post apocalyptic feel about them. It’s all very strange but clearly the beach is still a popular choice. Like you I was very cautious about staying overnight but during a recent trip to Scotland I realise how much effort accommodation places are doing to keep us & their staff safe. It’s in everyone’s best interest & I feel much better about planning other trips as a result.

    • Sue, We thought hard about our overnight stay plans. And were prepared to come home if we did not feel safe. But it was good to see that everyone took things seriously. And we were happy to support the local economies. Without an overnight stay we never would have experienced those awesome sunsets. So a great trip overall! Linda

  18. This is such a lovely post! It’s written in a way that makes me feel like I was right there with you! I grew up in Indiana but for whatever reason, we never did a Great Lakes vacation growing up and now I can see that’s really too bad! I didn’t even know about Lake St. Clair but it looks beautiful. Also very interesting to see how other travelers are handling COVID-19.

    • Kevin, We try and share our experiences as we tip our toes back into travelling. We are being cautious but so far are generally finding safe ways to get out a bit. I am glad this post took you along for a good ride on our two days in the Lake St Clair and Lake Huron area. Linda

  19. I love this, all your pictures are so lovely and great sunset snaps too. I can’t wait to visit Ontario this area just looks so chilled. It’s a shame about the flooding though

  20. I live in Detroit just across the river! I’ve done so many road trips along the Great Lakes, but never on the Canadian side. I love this itinerary. I’d like to cross over on the Ambassador and make our way up to Bruce Peninsula then back down through Sarnia.

  21. You seem to have made the most of your road trip to Lake Huron and Lake St Claire! So nice to drive by farmlands and treat yourself to fresh watermelon! I’m sure you must have been tempted to buy the houses marked ‘For Sale’ with a water front view. The underground railway sign does look decrypt haha! The history is very fascinating though, I’m tempted to read the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin after your mention of the find. What an adventure! The sunsets look dreamy. Its amazing how we all have adapted to travelling with Covid..

  22. Wow! I absolutely love the area of Lake Huron. It seems like you guys really made the most of this trip and got in a lot! I’ve driven through a few times come from the US side and we absolutely loved the vibe, and yes even the cold cold weather! Haha šŸ™‚

  23. So glad you guys managed to get some nature therapy despite the pandemic, but with perfect distancing A game! The area seems so verdant and beautiful!! I had learnt about different houses involved in the Underground Railroad during a trip to Illinois and have been fascinated about all the houses and but didn’t know that the cabin from Uncle Tom’s Cabin was actually inspired by a cabin in Ontario. That is so interesting. And those sunset pictures are so so stunning! Grand Bend area sure seems like a great place to visit around Toronto!

    • Vishvarsha, I really knew very little about the Underground Railway. So it was cool to see so much in this part of Ontario. Staying overnight really was worth it when we got those sunsets. Linda

  24. We were like mirrored images across the border! We were road tripping the US side of the Great Lakes…and wish we could have completed the circle with some of those stops on the Ontario side!, especially with some of these travel tips. Huron has such incredible color, chilly water but worth wading in.

  25. I love road trips and I would love to explore more of Canada one day! I’ve only been to Toronto but I do love that city. Lake Huron and Lake Sr. Clair looks so beautiful and the areas around them are so charming! Seems like you had a wonderful time! And wow! Those sunset photos are unreal! So beautiful!!!

    • Karolina, Toronto is a great city to visit. But we really recommend a trip out of town if you plan a long enough stay. You get a very different view of Ontario. Hope you come back one day. Linda

  26. I was amazed seeing people in this area until I got to Grand Bend part. Haha… But you got the best sunset views on the lake. Love that orange and shades of purple. The Underground Railroad sign is really unique! I would be intrigue by it, too. It will be a great stop to learn a piece of history there.

  27. Sounds like a fun and yet educational kind of adventure heading west toward Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair in Ontario! In particular, I secretly loved how you guys kept heading down dead ends. Darcee & I often do that “on purpose” or at least that is what I tell her! But in reality, we love just driving around with no real agenda except to discover.
    Now I had no idea that there was such a major presence in that area for the Underground Railroad. I guess if that is where Josiah Henson ended up, then it makes sense. What an amazing thing to just walk that old cemetery!

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